Horrifying simulation reveals what would happen in the immediate 20 minutes after a nuclear attack

A horrifying simulation has revealed what would actually happen in the immediate 20 minutes after a nuclear attack.

A video has dissected what it would be like if the US found itself in the middle of a nuclear conflict, and it turns out that the country might not be as secure as people may believe.

While fears of a potential third World War continue to grow, many have voiced their concerns that nuclear weapons would be likely used in the event.

Now, a simulation of what would happen in the first 20 minutes of a nuclear attack has been shared by the YouTube channel known as the Infographics Show.

In the clip, it breaks down potential targets of an attack into two specific categories - counterforce and countervalue.

Counterforce targeting is about taking out the enemy’s ability to fight back, while countervalue targets are locations that are meant to reduce the enemy’s ability to recover or pose a threat in the future.

So, when it comes to the first 20 minutes, an enemy would likely target five locations scattered around the US and they are pretty big.

This would be the Pacific Coast, the Great Plains, the South, the Midwest and the north eastern seaboard.

This is because each of these five regions contain multiple counterforce and countervalue targets.

The Great Plains

While the exact actions of the first 20 minutes are difficult to predict, the video suggests that a strike on the US would first go for the Great Plains.

This is due to the multiple missile silos, across the heartland of America. As the missile silos are spaced roughly over 1.5 miles apart, a single nuclear missile couldn’t take out more than one at a time, meaning multiple would have to be fired to prevent the US from counter striking.

The Pacific Coast

The next target could be the Pacific Coast due to both its military, economical, and cultural importance.

A strike along the coast could destabilize two of the US’ most important ports, the Los Angeles Port and Long Beach Port.

It can also target tech companies which have become important both for technology and economics.

A simulation shows what would happen in the first 20 minutes after a nuclear attack (zpagistock/Getty Images)

The Midwest

The Midwest has fewer military targets of value, but it could still be a target due to the many countervalue targets due to the many large cities and strong industry.

Chicago is a city that could prove particularly valuable due its worth as a financial and transportation hub.

The South

The South also holds financial and transportation value but is home to many military installations, making it a great target if the goal is to make the country’s war-fighting ability mute.

The south also holds critical infrastructure and refineries, disturbing this could cause a massive gasoline shortage and could even tank the American economy.

The North East

The northeast holds the bulk of the federal government, in Washington DC, making it a prime target in hopes of destabilizing the country.

The Pentagon, also a hub of information, communication, planning and execution of US military strategy would also be a key target.

Not to mention the largest naval base in the US, in Norfolk, Virginia, would also be a key area to help prevent the US from striking back,

As well as this, an attack on New York City, one of the famous cities in the world could prove to be a massive countervalue target to capitulate Americans and demoralize the nation.